The children’s area of the library is specifically designed to meet the needs of young library users. The children’s area is available for use by children and their accompanying adults, and by adults requiring access to the collection (such as teachers and students of children’s literature) for study or work. In such cases, once materials are retrieved they can then be taken to the adult section of the library for review or checkout.
Adults that are not accompanying children and do not require immediate access to children’s materials will be asked to relocate to another section of the library, regardless of the time of day, presence or absence of other children, or activity level in the room. Tutors may only be in the room for a period that begins ten minutes before and ends ten minutes after the appointment with the child and must adhere to all library rules and policies.
Behavior of children or adults in the room must follow the library’s general public behavior policy and any other applicable rules or policies, including but not limited to:
Phone use: Brief, quiet cell phone conversations are only allowed in designated areas of the library. Phone calls are not allowed in the children’s area. Library phones are used by staff to conduct library business and are only available to patrons for a brief call in emergencies.
Unattended children: Children age 10 and under must be under the constant sight and supervision of a parent or responsible caregiver age 14 or older at all times, including within the children’s area. Such caregiver is responsible for the actions of all the children under their care during their time in the children’s area.
Homework help: The library offers help to children with their homework through its volunteers’ service. Librarians in any department, including children’s, are not able to provide homework help.
Computer use: Online catalog computers in the children’s area are not intended for use by children under 5 years old. It is the responsibility the caregiver to ensure the appropriate use of the online terminals and other electronic library resources by young children. Pounding on keyboards and other potentially damaging activities (to electronics or any library property) are not permitted. Staff is happy to assist children when necessary; however, they are not able to sit with a child and teach him or her how to use the computer.
This policy reflects the library’s concern for children’s safety in the library.
Adopted 2/19/20
